Performance specifications launched for water treatment systems

The Domestic Water Treatment Association is launching its minimum product performance specifications next month.

This will mean that chemical water treatment product manufacturers can have their products certified to prove their minimum performance level. This ensures that appliance manufacturers and installers can be confident that systems will remain energy-efficient throughout their lifetime.

The DWTA - a group within the British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers' Association (BEAMA) - has conducted research that shows water and heating systems can deteriorate without the installation of a quality chemical inhibitor.

However, many smaller manufacturers of chemical water treatment products cannot always afford the onerous technical tests that show they meet BS7593 - the industry's agreed code of practice.

DWTA's tests will be within the reach of these companies and will be managed by BuildCert, which already operates the Water Regulations Advisory Service.

Kelly Butler, Director of DWTA said: "Since our autumn 2004 consultation exercise we have been negotiating for a sensible certification scheme enabling water treatment manufacturers to participate at a reasonable cost. BuildCert gives the industry exactly what it needs in this respect."

"We expect to have the first products certified early September 2005 - ready for the heating season."

He added that the next stage would be to encourage appliance manufacturers to specify DWTA-certified products within their installation instructions.